Loyalty Program

[CarnivalCruiser64]

Who offers the best loyalty Program, CCL Platinum or RCL Diamond and what is included?

[djacobson]

Who offers the best loyalty Program, CCL Platinum or RCL Diamond and what is included?

 

Here's the Carnival Platinum perks:

 

• Carnival Concierge Club benefits including:

• Personalized stationery

• A special Carnival logo item

• Guaranteed dining times and supper club reservations

• Complimentary $20 entry fee into blackjack or slots tournament

• Spa Carnival priority reservations

• Petit fours and/or canapés delivered to cabin one evening

• Complimentary wash and fold laundry service

• Priority tender boarding

• Priority embarkation and debarkation

• Complimentary arcade tokens valued at $5 dollars for guests under

18 years of age

 

If you own 100 shares of CCL, you also get onboard credit of at least $50, depending on the length of the cruise.

[firefly333]

On RCI many ships have a lounge you can get into with free drinks and snacks for an hour or two before dinner.

 

$100 off a balcony or higher at platinum, $200 off at diamond (10 cruise points which you could hit in 4 cruises or more).

 

The money off the price of cruises to me would be a nice benefit but I doubt Carnival would add it. RCL is much better about combining OBCs than Carnival, to me another biggie.

 

Additional Benefits

Receive an extra cruise credit when you purchase and sail in a suite (categories RS, OS, FS, GS, JS) for sailings beginning on or after January 1, 2004

Receive two cruise credits for a 12-night or longer cruise/cruisetour on or after January 1, 2003 ****

 

After 1 cruise you get a gift in your cabin, we have lots of logo bags and got caps the last cruise. the coupon book is nice, 2 for 1 drinks, etc, also after 1 cruise.

 

after 1 cruise you can sign in and get C&A coupons for even more off your cruise, if its one listed. these discounts are on all cabins, different amounts for different cabin.

 

We also get nice gifts for attending M&Ms and they had chocolate covered stawberries and the best food last cruise. really nice party.

 

1 cruise or more, gold level

 

Onboard Benefits

 

Ultimate Value Booklet* Welcome Back Party**

Complimentary Wine Tasting** Commemorative gift

 

platinum (only 5 cruise credits on RCL)

 

Onboard Benefits

Private departure lounge

Exclusive onboard event

 

Robes for use onboard

Priority check-in (where available)

Cruise Planning Benefits

Receive matching Captain's Club member recognition when you sail our sister line, Celebrity Cruises

A special number to call for pre-cruise benefits, (888) 437-1953 ***

 

Complimentary custom air fee ***

Special rates on balcony and suite staterooms ***

Premium Saving certificates online

 

Diamond you get a few more perks etc.

 

Onboard Benefits

Priority wait list for sold-out shore excursions/spa services

Concierge service on select ships +++ (this one is a biggie, the free drinks lounge)

Priority departure from ship (before even the self disembark)

Cruise Planning Benefits

Priority wait list for dining room seating ***

[CarnivalCruiser64]

Thanks

[CarnivalCruiser64]

The $200 discount looks good for the RCL diamond members

[LHP]

Unfortunately, you also have to consider the cost of the cruise.

 

It is easy to give away more "stuff" when it costs more to cruise with them.

 

I think Carnival's program is in line with the price we pay for the cruises.

[firefly333]

The $200 discount looks good for the RCL diamond members

 

Dont forget the C&A coupons. I had a friend who got a aft balcony earlier this year on Voyager for about $750 he said. He was only platinum, so $100 off plus the $125 C&A for the balcony, plus he got $200 OBC from RCL. Its possible, or has been in the past. Book a longer cruise on board for $200 OBC and then cancel it and slide the booking into a 7 day. Plus of course the stock credit. I know folks on RCL getting $600 OBC all the time. TAs dont discount, but they give OBC.

 

I think you only get $75 off a inside on the C&A coupons. ... if your cruise has C&A coupons

 

I know I couldnt wait until my C&A went thru to see which C&A coupons were offered. They used to send them to your home and Iv heard those are better, if you can get them rather than the ones online, some folks manage to get both with husband one and wife the other.

 

If you count all the discounts, I really dont find a whole lot of difference in the price. OK I paid a little more on my last RCL cruise, but thats the first time.

 

I think if you just look at the prices and dont use all the ways to save on a RCL cruise, you are fooling yourself that prices are so different.

 

We did the FREE wine seminar and I got all I could drink during the time of the seminar. 7 large samples, 1/4 to 1/3 of a glass, plus my sister was passing me her samples.

 

The consierge free happy hour Im sure cuts down the bar bill onboard for many.

 

I was on SOV I think it was, and the diamond members all were in the first dining room and the rest of us self embarkers in another. They all got to be escorted off the ship first before we could start.

 

Folks say Carnival cant do this because of the cost of the cruise, how much extra would it cost Carnival to let platinum off the ship first the last morning, those who wanted off?

[firefly333]

I stand corrected, now they are only giving $65 off inside cabins (7 day) if there is a C&A coupon.

 

These coupons can be combined with the $100 or $200 off a balcony discount for platinum or diamond levels

 

these are gold levels 1 - 4 cruise credits, current examples, not the whole list

 

7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise $125 USD / Suite/Deluxe

$125 USD / Balcony

$125 USD / Oceanview

$65 USD / Interior

 

 

Voyager Of The Seas 2009: Mar 01 , Mar 29 , Apr 12

 

Voyager Of The Seas 2009: Feb 08 , Feb 22 , Mar 22 , Apr 05

[LHP]

Dont forget the C&A coupons. I had a friend who got a aft balcony earlier this year on Voyager for about $750 he said. He was only platinum, so $100 off plus the $125 C&A for the balcony, plus he got $200 OBC from RCL. Its possible, or has been in the past. Book a longer cruise on board for $200 OBC and then cancel it and slide the booking into a 7 day. Plus of course the stock credit. I know folks on RCL getting $600 OBC all the time. TAs dont discount, but they give OBC.

 

I think you only get $75 off a inside on the C&A coupons. ... if your cruise has C&A coupons

 

I know I couldnt wait until my C&A went thru to see which C&A coupons were offered. They used to send them to your home and Iv heard those are better, if you can get them rather than the ones online, some folks manage to get both with husband one and wife the other.

 

If you count all the discounts, I really dont find a whole lot of difference in the price. OK I paid a little more on my last RCL cruise, but thats the first time.

 

I think if you just look at the prices and dont use all the ways to save on a RCL cruise, you are fooling yourself that prices are so different.

 

We did the FREE wine seminar and I got all I could drink during the time of the seminar. 7 large samples, 1/4 to 1/3 of a glass, plus my sister was passing me her samples.

 

The consierge free happy hour Im sure cuts down the bar bill onboard for many.

 

I was on SOV I think it was, and the diamond members all were in the first dining room and the rest of us self embarkers in another. They all got to be escorted off the ship first before we could start.

 

Folks say Carnival cant do this because of the cost of the cruise, how much extra would it cost Carnival to let platinum off the ship first the last morning, those who wanted off?

 

When is the last time you cruised on Carnival? We are Platinum and Carnival does indeed escort their Platinum cruisers off first. Even Platinum folks who are doing the Self Assist are escorted off of Carnival before the regular "self assist".

 

We just sailed on the Legend. We did the Platinum self assist. They had us gather at the Sports Bar and then escorted us off the ship before they released the self assist.

 

As for the price, not only does RCCL cost more ...but RCCL only offers 840 3 -6 day cruises to Carnivals 2,096 3-6 day cruises for the same period.

 

So with Carnival you have more than twice to opportunity to take shorter (cheaper) cruises which still count towards to :total number:.

 

All those discounts once you reach that level is fine...but you don't get those discounts "reaching that level". While you are trying to achieve those perks...you pay more to cruise on RCCL.

 

We still get Interline Discounts on RCCL and not on Carnival and Carnival has priced out cheaper in every single comparison...even with our Interline Discounts.

[KatSt]

Folks say Carnival cant do this because of the cost of the cruise, how much extra would it cost Carnival to let platinum off the ship first the last morning, those who wanted off?

I asked about that on our last cruise on the Miracle a few weeks ago. I am a Platinum guest and was waiting with my family and others in a lounge to be escorted off the ship early.

 

It seemed like nearly 1/3 of the guests did the self disembark. We had to wait for over an hour to be escorted off the ship.

 

When I inquired why we couldn't get off before the self disembark I was told it was because our luggage wasn't off the ship that early.

 

It made sense to me. I'm not sure how RCL does it.

[Sandgnat]

Folks say Carnival cant do this because of the cost of the cruise, how much extra would it cost Carnival to let platinum off the ship first the last morning, those who wanted off?

Carnival does let Platinum off first. On the Celebration, my first Platinum I was the first off. If you are self debarking we are led off first.

[firefly333]

When is the last time you cruised on Carnival? We are Platinum and Carnival does indeed escort their Platinum cruisers off first. Even Platinum folks who are doing the Self Assist are escorted off of Carnival before the regular "self assist".

 

 

Both lines may regularly escort off platinum. To be honest on my last RCL cruise I didnt notice them being escorted off, maybe they meet some other place?

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I havent seen it on Carnival, just been under the impression you only got VIP boarding on Carnival. I stand corrected if Carnival now has both VIP boarding AND disembarking. thanks.

 

I do think the perks RCL gives is why those folks can get so rude about defending that cruiseline, its not just about which cruiseline is better. I think they have their perks and thats why they are loyal. I was just trying to explain why RCL cruisers are so crazed and rude and defensive. Just my opinion the perks are why. Obviously its not because of better food or larger cabins.

[LHP]

I asked about that on our last cruise on the Miracle a few weeks ago. I am a Platinum guest and was waiting with my family and others in a lounge to be escorted off the ship early.

 

It seemed like nearly 1/3 of the guests did the self disembark. We had to wait for over an hour to be escorted off the ship.

 

When I inquired why we couldn't get off before the self disembark I was told it was because our luggage wasn't off the ship that early.

 

It made sense to me. I'm not sure how RCL does it.

 

Kathy: You are correct.

 

As a Platinum member, you have the option of doing the Platinum Self Assist and being the very first people escorted off the ship OR doing the Platinum Debark where you are the first people doing the regular Debark to get off the ship.

 

The choice is yours.

 

We pack light and generally do the Platinum self assist.

[firefly333]

As for the price, not only does RCCL cost more ...but RCCL only offers 840 3 -6 day cruises to Carnivals 2,096 3-6 day cruises for the same period.

 

So with Carnival you have more than twice to opportunity to take shorter (cheaper) cruises which still count towards to :total number:.

 

True, Carnival offers more cruise, ok??

 

But you could do a JS on SOV and do the 3 day cruise and get 2 cruise credits. Carnival only give 1 credit per cruise, no matter which cabin you select.

 

Last Sept you could get a JS for $599 a person, and if you were platinum or diamond, get money off that price and have 2 cruise credits plus enjoy the suite.

 

Im just explaining why I think folks are more loyal to RCL. Im not saying I dont like both. I like the folks over here better, they arent so quick to put down other cruiselines.

[KatSt]

Kathy: You are correct.

 

As a Platinum member, you have the option of doing the Platinum Self Assist and being the very first people escorted off the ship OR doing the Platinum Debark where you are the first people doing the regular Debark to get off the ship.

 

The choice is yours.

 

We pack light and generally do the Platinum self assist.

Thanks. I wish I knew how to pack lightly. lol

[LHP]

Both lines may regularly escort off platinum. To be honest on my last RCL cruise I didnt notice them being escorted off, maybe they meet some other place?

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I havent seen it on Carnival, just been under the impression you only got VIP boarding on Carnival. I stand corrected if Carnival now has both VIP boarding AND disembarking. thanks.

 

I do think the perks RCL gives is why those folks can get so rude about defending that cruiseline, its not just about which cruiseline is better. I think they have their perks and thats why they are loyal. I was just trying to explain why RCL cruisers are so crazed and rude and defensive. Just my opinion the perks are why. Obviously its not because of better food or larger cabins.

 

I don't see why RCCL folks have to be rude or defensive....RCCL is a fine cruise line. There is a ton of lessons that other cruise lines could learn from them. Non-smoking cabins and those wonderful Adult Solariums just to name two ...and one of the best folks in the cruising world running one of their departments (Vicki Freed..IMHO).

 

I love Princess perks also......and they still give us (freight haulers) the Interline Discounts. One day...I plan to sail them all. (except NCL...nothing against them....I am just not a Freestyler).

[LHP]

Thanks. I wish I knew how to pack lightly. lol

 

I had to laugh when I read that one!!

 

I look like Cleopatra headed down the Nile.

 

Packing light is definately not my secret. Straped luggage is my secret!!

(and 2 teenage sons to help with the hauling!!)